9. Your child is doing great compared to other deaf and hard of hearing kids.

Problem:

What is this kind of statement really saying? If it is given in response to educational delays in your own child's performance, the goals for your child need to be very clear. To be provided with an appropriate education and be meeting the standards for the grade level your child is in, then the "measurement" of success is what every "third grader" should know, not comparisons to what has historically been the dismal outcomes for students who are deaf and hard of hearing.

Responses:

"Well, that's interesting to know. But let's keep our focus on the standards of what Michelle's goals are in context to what she is supposed to learn and know in the eighth grade. How can we continue to ensure that the goals/services we are talking about today will help her achieve what the state standards require all eighth graders to know."

"Thank you for sharing with me this information about Candace's achievement compared to other deaf/hh students in these assessments. I was wondering if we could also have a conversation about this assessment, and if it has been normed to typically hearing kids."

The Law:

Part (A)(c)(5) .Over 20 years of research and experience has demonstrated that the education of children with disabilities can be made more effective by (A) having higher expectations for such children and ensuring their access in the general curriculum to the maximum extent possible.

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